NBA Playoffs 2015: TV Schedule, Odds for Sunday's Conference Semifinal Games
Round 1 of the NBA playoffs ended on a high note with Chris Paul leading his Los Angeles Clippers over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 with a ridiculous flip shot in the lane. Hopefully, you weren't up too late watching the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao snoozefest since there are a couple doozies early Sunday to kick off the conference semifinals.
Both matchups pit polar opposites against one another. In the Eastern Conference, you have the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks coming off a brief six-game scare of a series with the Brooklyn Nets. The Washington Wizards ran through the No. 4 seed, the Toronto Raptors, like a bull through a china shop, winning each game convincingly.
In the Western Conference, the Memphis Grizzlies disposed of the Portland Trail Blazers in five games with little trouble outside of Mike Conley's broken face, while the Golden State Warriors were far too much for the young New Orleans Pelicans, sweeping them in four.
This will be a fun semifinals because it further exemplifies the changing of the guard across the league. These four squads suiting up Sunday have a combined one conference finals appearance since 1979, which was the Grizzlies' unceremonious sweep at the hands of the Spurs in 2012-13.
As four teams head towards uncharted territory, here are the start times and Las Vegas' thoughts on the matchups.
| Matchup | Time (EST) | Network | Odds |
| Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks | 1:00 p.m. | ABC | ATL -5.5 |
| Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors | 3:30 p.m. | ABC | GS -9.5 |
Which Hawks Will We See?
The Hawks didn't look like themselves for much of the second half of the season since they were so far ahead of the pack in the Eastern Conference. They took it easy down the stretch for this moment right here.
Until the clinching 111-87 drubbing of the Nets in Game 6, Atlanta played beneath its level during the first round. The Hawks were hot and cold on both ends of the floor, but it was a pleasant sight watching them bury the Nets with 13 threes after not only struggling from downtown all series but dropping both prior contests in Barclays Center.
The Wizards are the farthest thing from a cakewalk. John Wall is rapidly ascending to elite status, and his Wiz Kids pose a legitimate threat to any team in this league when he is playing as he did against Toronto, (17.3 points, 12.5 assists per game). We could be looking at a brutal seven-game series.
This is not the best matchup on paper for Atlanta. Marcin Gortat and Nene could wreak plenty of havoc due to their size advantage much like Brook Lopez did in the first round. Atlanta's defense is in for a battle, facing a squad that has averaged 116 points over the past three games.
Atlanta has to ride its momentum from the Game 6 win into Sunday. Game 1 is crucial because the Hawks must take advantage of a Wiz team that has not played in a week. Atlanta also dropped two of three on the road against the Nets, so heading to the nation's capital tied one game a piece is bad news.
This is a pivotal Game 1 for Atlanta. Look for the Hawks to let it fly from three early and often.
Will Mike Conley Lace Up for Game 1?
You've gotta love a team being coy about a player's status. It's not too fun if you're a sports journalist, but you never know if Mike Conley might pull a Willis Reed.
Peter Fleischer of Fox 13 in Memphis can't seem to crack the code.
As if the sprained foot wasn't enough, it's hard to envision Conley suiting up this early with an eye that is nearly swollen shut. However, you just never know with this team.
Damian Lillard looked like an entirely different player without Conley harassing him in the first-round series. Memphis cannot afford for Stephen Curry to enjoy similar luxuries. Not having Conley for this entire series could be a death sentence.
ESPN.com's Marc Stein has reported that the dynamic point guard is doubtful for Game 1 but does have his mask ready to go whenever he is ready to play. What game that will be is anybody's guess.
Follow Justin Hussong on Twitter @Hussington.
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